STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE RELEASES “EVERY THREE HOURS” PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

PSA Highlights the Impact of Gun Violence on Children, Parents and the Medical Community

NEW YORK, N.Y., – Every 3 hours an American mother is told her child has died from gun violence. Common sense gun laws can stop this deadly cycle, but parents can also make a huge difference. In the United States, one out of three homes with children has a gun, many kept unlocked or loaded. Every year thousands of kids are killed and injured as a result through homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings.

The “Every Three Hours” project began when Dr. Naomi Rosenberg, an emergency room doctor in Philadelphia, finished her three-year residency and decided to take a writing class. At the class, she received an assignment – “Tell somebody how to do something you know how to do.” With that, she wrote a piece that ended up being published in the New York Times as an Op-Ed: “How to Tell a Mother Her Child is Dead.” The editor at the Times responded immediately after reading the piece with “it’s moving and heartbreaking.” Rightfully so, the piece connected with the public on many levels – mothers, families, children, doctors and guns.

Brett Warkentien, a Los Angeles-based director, came across the op-ed and saw the message Dr. Rosenberg was addressing and that her role as an Emergency Room Doctor is part of a bigger problem of gun violence. From there, he decided to bring her piece to life in the form of a short film PSA.

As word of the production spread, people from all disciplines donated their time, talent and resources. They understood there was something bigger at hand than just creating a short film. They wanted to become a part of the change.The project found light when States United to Prevent Gun Violence, a non-profit organization shifting perception and change for smart gun laws, offered to support and facilitate the PSA.

Parents ask all sorts of questions before their children visit other homes, so it’s time to ASK about guns. With “Every Three Hours,” States United is partnering with The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Campaign to encourage parents to add one more question to this conversation: “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” It’s a simple question, but it has the power to save a child’s life.

The ASK Campaign was created by a collaboration of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Across the country, it has successfully inspired an estimated 19 million households to ask if there are guns where their children play.

“A frank conversation now may prevent the worst conversation any parent could imagine. With this new PSA, we are asking adults to commit to protecting kids by asking about unlocked guns in places their children visit and further normalize this important conversations by spreading the word to 3 friends,” said Julia Wyman, Executive Director of States United.

About States United to Prevent Gun Violence

States United to Prevent Gun Violence (States United) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1999 by state gun violence prevention groups. States United is the only organization representing state-led gun violence prevention groups. Its 32 State Affiliate organizations – together with allies in other state groups – are committed to a 50-state solution to gun violence. States United believes that strong state-based organizations that reflect the unique landscape of attitudes and challenges in each state are essential to building grassroots support and affecting legislative change at the state and national level.

STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE STATEMENT ON MASS SHOOTING AT CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL PRACTICE IN ALEXANDRIA, V.A.

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 14, 2017 – States United to Prevent Gun Violence and our 32 state affiliates are deeply saddened that our elected officials, their staff and Capitol Police detail experienced the horrific mass shooting this morning – joining the unfortunate class of 33,000 Americans who die and 81,000 Americans injured by gun violence every year. This shooting targeting our respected elected officials is a resounding reminder that even a setting filled with the most highly trained and alert “good guys with guns” is no match the lethal and overwhelming firepower of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the hands of a mass shooter – the same weapons of war used in 28 mass shootings since the massacre of 26 children and school teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School 4 years ago.

It is unacceptable that law enforcement are forced to confront weapons of war in the hand of civilians in their line of duty. It is worrisome that Congress is, today, considering passing a bill that will deregulate silencers – the very instruments that hinder police from identifying locations of shooters – a federal regulation that was designed to prevent ambushing of police. Our Congress needs to stand up to the gun lobby once and for all and ban sales of weapons of war to civilians and say no to deregulating silencers.

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About States United to Prevent Gun Violence:

States United to Prevent Gun Violence (States United) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1999 by state gun violence prevention groups. States United is the only organization representing state-led gun violence prevention groups. Its 32 State Affiliate organizations – together with allies in other state groups – are committed to a 50-state solution to gun violence. States United believes that strong state-based organizations that reflect the unique landscape of attitudes and challenges in each state are essential to building grassroots support and affecting legislative change at the state and national level.

STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE RELEASES CARRIER OR KILLER GAME TO HIGHLIGHT THE DANGERS OF MORE GUNS IN PUBLIC

The PSA showcases peoples’ reactions to the game asking them to make an instantaneous life or death judgment about someone with a gun

NEW YORK, N.Y., April 24, 2017 – As Congress prepares to vote on Federally Mandated Concealed Carry and other bills making it easier for more people to carry guns in public spaces, national grassroots gun violence prevention organization, States United to Prevent Gun Violence (States United), launches the Carrier or Killer campaign to raise awareness of the dangerous new reality that may lie ahead. Carrier or Killer includes a video game and PSA which shows how hard it is to correctly make a life or death judgment against a gun-wielding individual in mere seconds.

“More guns carried in public spaces means more Americans will be shot dead or be injured. This is unacceptable,” says Julia Wyman, Executive Director of States United To Prevent Gun Violence. “The proposed Federally Mandated Concealed Carry law, for instance, will increase the chances that first responders and the public will face someone carrying a gun and have to decide what to do. We don’t want increased panic and confusion in our communities, and we urge everyone to stand up against this bill.”

In the new PSA, States United created a social experiment and placed the Carrier or Killer arcade game in the middle of a New York City billiards club. Players were introduced to five scenarios with only three seconds to decide whether the person shown is simply carrying a gun in public or is a dangerous criminal posing a lethal threat. Whether players answer correctly or not, there were no winners or losers as it is a game that truly cannot be won. Hidden cameras filmed the reactions of the players, capturing their jaw-dropping responses which is reflected in the organization’s latest PSA.

By visiting www.carrierorkiller.com, people can play the game, as well as obtain information on how to easily contact their representatives to encourage them to vote “NO” on Federally Mandated Concealed Carry.

The NRA spent more than $50 million in support of the current president and Congressional allies. States United is using Carrier or Killer to rally the public to oppose the NRA agenda of more guns everywhere. The game shows both the absurdity and danger of this policy.

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About States United to Prevent Gun Violence:

States United to Prevent Gun Violence (States United) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1999 by state gun violence prevention groups. States United is the only organization representing state-led gun violence prevention groups. Its 32 State Affiliate organizations – together with allies in other state groups – are committed to a 50-state solution to gun violence. States United believes that strong state-based organizations that reflect the unique landscape of attitudes and challenges in each state are essential to building grassroots support and affecting legislative change at the state and national level.